San Francisco Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting - July 16, 2024

The Board of Supervisors held a regular meeting on July 16, 2024, covering a wide range of items including the city's two-year budget, several special commendations, an update on police reform recommendations, development agreements for the Stonestown project, extensions of hotel shelter contracts, and multiple charter amendments for the November ballot. The meeting featured extensive debate on the budget, with one supervisor voting against it, and a detailed presentation on the implementation of 272 U.S. Department of Justice reform recommendations for the San Francisco Police Department.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: June 11, 2024 regular board meeting and June 12, 2024 special budget committee meeting minutes were approved unanimously (11-0).
• Items 1-24 (Budget Package): The budget and appropriation ordinance, salary ordinance, and associated fee and grant items were passed on first reading and resolutions adopted. The package included amendments to reallocate $2.75 million from Union Square free parking funding to arts and culture activation in multiple downtown districts. Final vote: 10-1 (Supervisor Preston opposed).
• Items 25-26: Planning code amendments and street acceptance for 1629 Market Street were finally passed.
• Items 28-30, 47-48 (Stonestown Development): Supervisor Engardio recused himself. The ordinances approving a development agreement, establishing an enhanced infrastructure financing district, and amending the planning code and zoning map for the Stonestown project were passed on first reading and resolutions adopted (10-0).
• Item 31: Extension of the SFPUC Green Infrastructure Grant Program delegation was passed (11-0).
• Items 33-34: Lease extensions for the Adante and Monarch Hotels (shelter sites) were passed (11-0).
• Item 35: Workforce housing revenue bond ordinance was passed on first reading (11-0).
• Items 36-42: Various resolutions and ordinances regarding SFPUC contracts, property acquisitions, and park dedications were adopted on same house same call.
• Item 43: Continued to July 23, 2024.
• Items 45-46: Bond election ordinance for up to $390 million for health, safety, and street improvements – amended to comply with ACA 10 (lowered voter threshold to 55%) and passed on first reading; continued to July 23 for committee of the whole.
• Item 49: Interim zoning controls for Upper Market Street and Castro Street were adopted.
• Item 50: Ordinance requiring pharmacies to stock buprenorphine was passed on first reading.
• Item 51: Liquor license for Fate Collective (475 Haight Street) was approved.
• Items 54-57: Charter amendments on children and youth, inspector general, affordable housing fund, and retirement benefits were each continued one week.

Public Comments & Testimony

• During Committee of the Whole (Police Reforms): Several speakers praised Chief Scott and the department's progress, including crisis intervention training and community engagement. One speaker urged continued support for the CIT program. A mother of a murder victim, Paulette Brown, thanked Chief Scott for his responsiveness. A few speakers expressed concerns about side shows, police staffing, and the integrity of stop data. One speaker criticized the focus on technology and urged competence-based hiring.
• General Public Comment: A worker advocate described Subway franchise violations of minimum wage laws, requesting board support. A City College instructor urged the board to protect the Free City College program. A Fillmore corridor ambassador asked for city department partnerships. A mother of a slain teen, Paulette Brown, thanked the board for a street renaming resolution. Several speakers addressed national political issues, but the president reminded them of electioneering rules.

Discussion Items

• Budget Debate (Items 1-24): Budget Chair Chan opened by noting the city faces a $1 billion deficit and that the budget still increases structural deficits. She highlighted restored funding for public health, oral health, food access, and youth services, but conceded that the budget does not fully fund cost-of-living adjustments for nonprofit partners. Supervisors Preston, Safai, Melgar, and Walton each spoke. Preston opposed the budget due to divestment from social housing (Prop I revenue diverted), unconditional increases in police funding, and lack of overdose prevention sites. He voted no. Safai expressed disappointment in initial mayoral cuts but supported the final budget. Melgar and Walton praised restorations for children, youth, and community services. The board adopted an amendment to redirect $2.75 million from Union Square parking subsidies to downtown arts and culture activation.
• Committee of the Whole – Police Reform Update (Item 44): Chief William Scott presented progress on 272 DOJ recommendations. He reported that 245 recommendations have been found substantially compliant; the remaining 27 were submitted to the California DOJ in 2024. Highlights included a 64% decline in use of force (2017-2021), a 79% decline in pointing firearms, a 50% reduction in officer-involved shootings, and increased diversity in recruits (52% people of color in 2016 to 81% in 2023). Executive Director Catherine McGuire outlined plans for sustainability managers and oversight. Supervisors questioned the chief about disparities in stops, data reporting delays (Q4 2023 and Q1 2024 racial disparity reports not yet released), foot patrol staffing, language capacity, side shows (only 5 vehicles seized in 2024), and recruitment of women (30x30 pledge). The chief committed to improving data systems, expanding foot beats as staffing increases, and developing a women's advancement committee. The item was continued to January 28, 2025.
• COVA Hotel Extension (Item 32): Supervisor Preston detailed a seven-month extension for the 95-unit shelter hotel on Ellis Street. He cited community concerns about street conditions and announced commitments from the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH) for: prioritizing Tenderloin referrals, an interagency MOU for cleaning, and funding for community ambassadors on the block (7:30am-5:30pm, 7 days a week, no later than September 1, 2024). HSH representative Dylan Schneider confirmed these commitments. Supervisor Safai urged HSH to be more proactive in managing shelter impacts. The ordinance passed 10-1 (Supervisor Mandelman opposed).
• Stonestown Development (Items 28-30, 47-48): Supervisor Melgar presented the project, which will redevelop the Stonestown Mall into a mixed-use neighborhood with 3,500 housing units (20% affordable), a senior village, six acres of open space, and ground-floor retail. The project is a key component of the city's housing element. The legislation was approved 10-0.

Key Outcomes

• Budget: Passed on first reading (10-1). Final adoption expected at a subsequent meeting.
• Police Reform Update: Continued to January 28, 2025. The board will receive the California DOJ's assessment of the remaining 27 recommendations in the coming months.
• Community Ambassadors for 600 Block of Ellis: The Department of Emergency Management and HSH committed to fund ambassadors starting no later than September 1, 2024. An interagency MOU will be drafted.
• Charter Amendments: Five charter amendments were introduced and continued one week. The board also scheduled special meetings on July 23, 2024, to consider a motion to discharge a police staffing charter amendment from the Rules Committee.
• Street Renaming: Supervisor Preston introduced a resolution to honorarily rename the 1500 block of Grove Street as Aubrey Abacasa Jr. Street.
• Subway Worker Resolution: Supervisor Ronan introduced a resolution supporting workers at Subway franchises who were denied minimum wage and overtime.
• Afghan American Heritage Month: Supervisor Dorsey introduced a resolution declaring August 2024 as Afghan American Heritage Month.
• Free City College Resolution: Supervisor Melgar introduced a resolution urging the city to negotiate an updated MOU with City College that preserves the program's original intent.